Save Rural Andover Borough - Lake Lenape Association Home Page

From http://www.lakelenapenj.com/LakeMain.htm

Lake Lenape Association Home Page
by Paul Yost, VP LLA

Town Council Meeting Andover Borough
Thu Feb 2nd 2006

Next Meeting Monday Feb 13th 7:30pm

Overview
Next Meeting Info Mon 2/13 7:30pm
Board of Education President Comments: School Cost $3Million
LLA Debbie Dickerson Comments: Beazer kids @ school in trailers
LLA Sandy Raynor Comments: No Benefit for Andover
LLA Regi Diverio Comments: NOT a done deal

This was my first town meeting. I should be more involved, but I tend to resign myself to the ideas that

* one person can't make a difference,
* you can't fight city hall,
* politics on all levels is already bought & paid for,
* and that you can't stop progress.

I was very wrong - the Andover Borough Town Meeting was an eye opener.

This meeting also reminded me that, whatever your legitimate complaint about the government, and the way the country/state/county/town/lake is run - as a Republic, we are to govern from the bottom up, not the top down.

The Andover Borough Town Meeting was a concerned town counsel, with caring hired consultants, passionate residents with intelligent ideas, and good neighbors willing to help. Faced with this immense development project, not one voice in the room was in favor of this monstrosity.

The town consultants, Planner Ken Nelson and Attorney Dick Cushing, set the stage with a detailed, easy to follow explanation of the situation. It sounds like this:

20 years ago that town counsel approved the general idea of developing the land across 206. That approval originally had a 5 year limit, but was able to be extended. It's been extended over the past 20 years, and now a big developer wants to go ahead with the project. What might have been a workable idea 20 years ago, is now a cumbersome town commitment. The town cannot change the zoning, but might have grounds to dismiss the project and cancel the plan. If the town does that, the situation will surely go to litigation… little Andover Borough fending off a Fortune 500 company with scores of lawyers.

When it goes to litigation, the judge will look back on today. He will want to see that the town counsel used due process and made a fair decision, considering the needs and rights of both sides.

There is knowledge now and changes in law that were not in place 20 years ago. We can site examples of developers grossly underestimating the local and regional effects of projects. Some offers of town compensation (fire trucks and equipment, etc) from the developer, are not legal in NJ today. Low Income Housing responsibilities today would require 75 residences from Andover under this population increase.

Ken Nelson noted that, while he has been involved in larger development projects, he has never been involved in one that would so dramatically increase the area population. This project would triple the population of Andover Borough.

Dick Cushing explained that this is one of many steps in the process, and must be viewed separately from Planning Board issues such as water runoff, etc.

Andover Board of Education President John Morgan opened up the floor with a captivating presentation about the typical under-estimating of school-age children by developers, and the very real effects that 300-600 new students would have on the region.

His results showed the obvious need for a new school, and an impact of a 30% increase of $3Million to accommodate the new students.

One of his striking comments was that good school systems, such as we've got in Andover, attract families. Such overpopulation would have a serious effect on that level of superior education.

Lake Lenape's Debbie Dickerson drew applause even from Mayor Shirlee Bollard, when she reminded the group of the scattered but substantial development going on in Andover Township as well.

Debbie made this startling comment after explaining that her brother in law is a project manager for the developer, Beazer Inc. According to him, in towns where Beazer goes through, kids are going to schools in trailers, because the towns can't build schools fast enough to handle the over-population of students.

Lake Lenape's Sandy Raynor took a passionate plea, noting that noone had mentioned any benefit for Andover under this plan - only burdens; that such a huge influx of outsiders would not integrate into Andover, but change it drastically; and asked the town counsel not to allow it.

Other issues were raised, including the obvious traffic problem; the already problematic flooding on that property; the fragile aquifer underneath it; the effects of tax-increases due to this project on elderly fixed income residents; and the need to move from a volunteer Fire Department and EMT to salaried departments.

A heartwarmingly passionate moment came when representatives from our neighboring towns offered their help. Byram Councilwoman Donna Griff and Green Twp. Dept. Mayor Dan Conkling both consider this a regional issue, not local, and offered to fight the fight alongside Andover.

Attorney Cushing added to this ideal, noting that Andover Borough will not be able to stand against a six-figure court battle. He said that every financial offer of help that can be made by neighboring towns would dramatically help turn away Beazer.

Perhaps the most poignant comment of the night was made by Lake Lenape's Regi Diverio. She remarked that there would have been more people in attendance, but most residents assume this is a done deal - to which Mayor Bollard responded with a passionate plea to "spread the word as quickly as possible", and to fill the next meeting wall to wall and out the door.

* Please come to the next meeting, even as simply one in the head count.
* Please use your contacts to convince your own town council to attend this meeting, or to be represented in a written statement.
* Send them to this webpage, if you like.
* Please use your contacts to convince your own mayors, congressmen and representatives to attend this meeting.

And please, spread the word through your neighboring towns that this is a situation that effects us all - from Newton to Netcong, from Lafayette to Jefferson and down to Rockaway.

1000+ more cars during rush hour. That should even bring representatives from Denville and Parsippany our way.

Attend the Next Meeting: Monday Feb 13th 7:30pm -
Andover Borough Firehouse
Rt 206 near Sonny's Pizza & US Post Office
just north of intersection @ 517 & 206

Related Links:
The more elected officials who see and hear our passion about refusing this project, the better chance we have. Please contact them and invite them to the Mon 2/13/06 7:30pm meeting!

save-rural-andover.com
Andover Twp Environmental Commission
Andover Twp Government
Allamuchy Twp Government
Hopatcong Government
Jefferson Twp Council
Newton Town Council
Netcong Elected Officials
Sparta Town Council
Sussex County Board of Freeholders